BMOC XX: Acosta-Tapia, Davis, Gapp, Pompey

Former Toronto Mets and OF Tristan Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.)

Big Man On Campus Week 20By Matt BettsCanadian Baseball NetworkThe college baseball season is in the book as far as Canadians are concerned. Last week featured three Canadians competing in the Super Regionals and a few honours were handed out. Below is the last recap of the season.

Kentucky bounced in Super RegionalThe University of Kentucky was the last team with Canadians competing. Kole Cottam (Knoxville, TN), Tristan Pompey (Brampton, Ont.) and Zach Pop (Brampton, Ont.) were relied upon to help the Wildcats take down the Louisville Cardinals in a battle of Kentucky. Unfortunately for UK, it didn’t go as planned as the Cardinals swept the best-of-three Super Regional and advanced to the College World Series. In Game 1, Cottam had a hit and a walk in the 5-2 loss, while Pompey contributed a walk.

Game 2 went the way of the Cardinals by a 6-2 score. Pompey had a hit and one of Kentucky’s two RBIs. Pop made an appearance, allowing a hit, a walk and also hit a batter.

Kentucky finishes the 2017 season with a 43-23 record.

Cottam finished the campaign with a .319 average in 55 games, 50 starts. He had a .380 on-base percentage and .505 slugging percentage to go along with a .989 fielding percentage.

Pompey, who was also recently named a Third Team All-American selection by Baseball America, completed the year hitting .361 in 66 games, all of which he started. He had a .464 OBP, a .541 SLG and swiped nine bases.

Pop appeared in 22 games in relief, earning a 1-1 record and a 3.48 ERA. He struck out 20 in 20 2/3 innings pitched, allowed 19 hits and walked eight. The Los Angeles Dodgers made him the 220th overall pick in the 7th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.

Acosta-Tapia tabbed NAIA Player of the YearChristopher Acosta-Tapia (Deeauville, Que.) is the best player the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has to offer. He was recently named NAIA Player of the Year for his standout season for the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles. In 63 games he hit .441 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs. The junior outfielder led the NAIA in doubles with 27, total bases with 208 and runs scored with 89 all while guiding the Eagles to their second ever trip to the NAIA World Series. He was also a NAIA First Team All-American.

Gapp nationally recognized When you have a year like Noah Gapp (St. Albert, Alta.) did, individually honours shouldn’t be all that suprising. Gapp was named a NAIA First-Team All American after going 10-4 with a 1.94 ERA in 111 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out 121 and walked 26, while holding opponents to a .199 average. Gapp is currently pitching for the Edmonton Prospects of the Western Major Baseball League.

Davis guides Gators to OmahaThe Florida Gators are off to the College World Series and a Canadian will be in the dugout. Lars Davis (Grande Prairie, Alta.) is a volunteer assistant coach with the Gators and will be helping guide them in Omaha, NE for the third straight season.

Davis played at the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, Alta., from 2004-2005 before playing collegiately at the University of Illinois. He was named Big Ten Player of the Year, Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball Second Team All-American and American Baseball Coaches Association Third Team All-American in 2007. The Colorado Rockies selected him in the 3rd round, 102nd overall in the 2007 MLB Draft. He made it to AAA with the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies.

That’s a wrap for the 2017 college baseball season for Canadians. Thanks for reading and keeping tabs on the top performances each week. Continue to check the Canadian Baseball Network for everything you need to know about Canadian baseball.